Northants all-rounder Middlebrook goes into bat for charity

Northants all-rounder James Middlebrook is joining a host of high profile cricketers in supporting ‘Batting for Charity’, an initiative organised by County Championship sponsors LV=.

The charity initiative will see Middlebrook display an LV= sticker on his bats for the remainder of the cricket season and in return, LV= will donate £250 towards Middlebrook’s charity bike ride in aid of the PCA Benevolent Fund and Tom Maynard Trust.

Taking place over five days, the charity bike ride will see Middlebrook start at The Riverside, Durham CCC on October 18, finishing at Lord’s Cricket Ground on October 22.

The intention is to raise awareness for the PCA Benevolent Fund, which looks after the needs of current and former professional cricketers, as well as the Tom Maynard Trust, the charity established following the death of the Surrey cricketer, which aims to help the development of disadvantaged cricketers.

Middlebrook said: “I am very pleased to be able to support the PCA Benevolent Fund and Tom Maynard Trust this season.

“They are incredibly worthy causes; the support and help both charities offer people is second to none, so if my donation can help the work they perform, it’s the least I can do.”

Mike Fatkin, spokesperson for the Tom Maynard Trust commented: “We are very grateful for the donation from LV=.

“Every donation we receive makes a huge difference to the work that we do.

“To have James championing our cause on the cricket field is just brilliant and we wish James the best of luck for the rest of the season as well as on his bike ride.”

Middlebrook joins a host of LV= County Championship cricketers, such as Derbyshire’s Wayne Madsen, Leicestershire’s Michael Thornley and Tim Ambrose of Warwickshire, taking part in LV=’s charity initiative.

Claire Jeromson, LV= Head of Sponsorship added: “It’s great to be partnering with County Championship cricketers such as James to help them support the charities close to their hearts.

“We launched this initiative last season and had an incredibly positive response and we hope this year’s donations will help support the great work these charities do.”